MONTEREY, CA - Hot off the tails of PMA Foodservice, the third annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS) is on its way. New details about the event have been released: This year’s first of six educational sessions will feature a deep dive into the changing landscape of food safety on organic farms and the industry response to the new Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule. The session will examine how FDA produce inspections will be implemented and the changes affecting the leafy greens industry.
"This year’s summit will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers," said Tonya Antle, Co-Founder of the Organic Produce Network (OPN). "From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production."
The first session, “Organic Farming Systems in the Era of FSMA,” will be moderated by Jacob Guth, Director of Food Safety for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Panelists for this session include, Greg Komar, Technical Director of Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; Donna Lynn Browne, Director of Food Safety and Responsibility, Naturipe Farms; and Steve Patton, Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Inspection and Compliance.
“Organic production and food safety requirements can sometimes conflict, but often they work hand in hand. Producing safe food has always been the priority for organic growers,” Guth commented, in a press release.
The six educational sessions will focus on a range of topics designed to engage and inform organic farmers, growers, and producers and their service and supply chain partners. Among the topics that will be addressed by organic industry leaders are farm soil management, the impact of technological advances in organic agriculture, the latest on labor and immigration, and a look at the hemp industry.
The summit is made possible by partners CCOF and OPN and is designed to provide vital information to organic farmers and ranchers, along with an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food. According to a press release, OGS is the only event specifically designed to bring organic fresh food producers and their service and supply chain partners together for education, information, and networking opportunities.
OGS 2019 takes place December 4-5 in Monterey, CA, at the Monterey Conference Center. Currently exhibitor registration is underway, but move fast—there are less than 30 remaining booths available. General registration to attend the summit is set to open August 1, and more details of the educational program, including session topics and speakers, will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, head to the show’s website, here.
AndNowUKnow will keep you posted on all the OGS 2019 news.
